Novena for the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin

O Mary, the channel of God’s tenderest mercies to man, thou wert promised from the beginning of the world to crush the serpent’s head, to bring forth the Redeemer of mankind. In thy sacred birth appears the dawn of that glorious day of grace, for which all nations ardently sighed. O blessed Infant, already thou beginnest to accomplish the predictions of the prophets, and to satisfy the longing desires of the just; already thou hast conceived in thy heart, by the most perfect love, that adorable Being who was afterwards to be born of thee. O happy Virgin, who on entering this world didst become a victim of charity, perfectly and unreservedly submissive to the will of God, may I, even at the last hour of my life, be enriched with a share in the dispositions which animated thy sacred infancy. Thou art the dignified descendant of kings, patriarchs, and prophets, yet thy birth so little corresponds with thy rank, that even the earliest part of thy life may liken thee to Him whom thou wert destined to resemble in all things. Inspire me then by thy example and intercession with that spirit of renunciation, detachment from the world, and self-contempt which I promised at baptism. Thou knowest the weakness and perverse inclinations which I brought into the world, and which unhappily have gained strength with increasing years. Pray for me then, O most holy Mary, whose nativity I commemorate, obtain for me strength to fulfil my duties as a Christian, and fidelity to co-operate with the graces of heaven. Beg for me also the favours I petition in this Novena.